For much of the US, GIS flood data is available from FEMA in either DFIRM Database format or as Q3 Digital Flood Data from the FEMA Map Service Center. DFIRM databases are much more comprehensive, and contain all the elements necessary for producing a FIRM. Digital Q3 Flood Data are 1:24,000 scale data developed by scanning existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps and vectorizing a thematic overlay of flood risks.

For North Carolina, however, it is not recommended to use older Q3 data. Instead, for the most current flood zone information, use maps and data produced by the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program discussed below. Superceded North Carolina Q3 data are still available and also discussed below.

Personal Geodatabase and shapefiles of flood zone areas and many other county GIS data layers that were used to model and create flood zone maps. There is also a Geodatabase Dictionary in PDF, which documents the Personal Geodatabase.

Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) - flood zone maps produced by FEMA in PDF. Use index maps available here, the DFIRM Panel Shapefile, or Geodatabase layer to find the panel(s) you need.

Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report, in PDF

LiDAR Data: Bare Earth as well as 20ft and 50ft spaced DEM points. For instructions on how to import the LiDAR data, and for sources of derivative data products, see the Elevation Data webpage.

For those who prefer not to download data or use GIS, online mapping capabilities are also available on the Floodplain Mapping website.

Digital Q3 Flood Data

Digital Q3 Flood Data are GIS data which depict flood zone polygons shown on older FIRMs, and are produced via a scanning and vectorization process. Vector Q3 Flood Data files contain only certain features from the existing FIRM hardcopy and are organized into single countywide files.

Digital Q3 Flood Data are not tied to a base map, are not used to produce a new version of the FIRM hardcopy, and are not subjected to community review. The Q3 data does not provide base flood elevation information; thus, it has limited application for engineering analysis, particularly for site design or rating flood insurance policies for properties located within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Since the geographic processing performed to develop digital Q3 Flood Data may introduce differences with the FIRM hardcopy source, users must apply considerable care and judgment in the application of this product. For instance, digital Q3 Flood Data may be overlaid on highly detailed large-scale community base mapping data, but, if parcel level determinations are made, they must be prefaced with information about the accuracy of the data from which they are derived. (Source: >FEMA Digital Q3 Flood Data Web Site, no longer online)

What can the Digital Q3 Flood Data be used for?

The digital Q3 Flood Data are designed to provide guidance and a general proximity of the location of Special Flood Hazard Areas. The product is designed to support planning activities, some Community Rating System activities, insurance marketing, and mortgage portfolio reviews. The digital Q3 Flood Data product can be a valuable tool in screening property addresses within a GIS to determine flood risks. (Source: FEMA Digital Q3 Flood Data Web Site, no longer online)

Please Note: For North Carolina, Q3 data is NOT the most current or accurate flood zone dataset. Instead use data from the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program, discussed above. Q3 data are still available and documented here for those who may want to refer to the older delineations.

FEMA flood data are available in ARC/INFO, MapInfo and DLG format. The ARC/INFO and MapInfo versions are in geographic coordinates/decimal degrees. The DLG versions are in UTM/meters. The Datum is NAD 27. (Note: the NCDOT versions of the data are in State Plane NAD 83 feet or meters as ArcInfo or Microstation files). The scale is 1:24,000.

NC CGIA's BasinPro 8 contains the same NC Q3 data as above, but compiled into two seperate shapefiles - one for eastern NC and one for western NC. See the Detailed Data Records for Eastern NC and Western NC for access.